Pharmacotherapy for alcohol addiction in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis and massive upper gastrointestinal bleed: A case study

2015 | Drug Alcohol Rev

Abstract:

Alcohol use causes a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pharmacologic treatment of alcohol dependence has been increasingly studied and proven to improve outcomes in individuals with alcohol use disorder. However, the treatment of alcohol use disorder is often challenging in the context of patients with hepatic impairment as many medications to treat alcohol use disorder are hepatically metabolised or may cause liver toxicity in some instances. We present a case history of an individual with significant medical complications from alcohol use disorder and explore the dilemma faced in prescribing pharmacologic treatment of alcohol use disorder in patients with significant liver dysfunction. [Young S, Wood E, Ahamad K. Pharmacotherapy for alcohol addiction in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis and massive upper gastrointestinal bleed: A case study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015].